10 Best Restaurants in Central Norway, Norway

Traditional dishes such as reindeer and moose from local hunters and mountain trout from a nearby lake are among the signature dishes at the renowned Bessheim Restaurant. The restaurant is light and airy, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. An à la carte menu is offered during the day, while in the evening it serves a three-course dinner.

Located in the cellar of an old brewery dating from 1855, Bryggerikjelleren has been serving Lillehammer's best steaks for at least three decades. The interiors are dark, intimate, and cozy, consisting of three rooms with vaulted ceilings centered around a stylish bar. The wine cellar is unmatched in Lillehammer.

A cozy, rustic restaurant with a casual atmosphere focusing on homemade burgers and fish-and-chips, but also offering some Norwegian specialties such as cured meat, salad, and local cheeses in addition to an impressive range of beers. Gets extra lively on the weekends.

If you're seeking creamed mussel soup or a range of other tasty local specialties paired with the perfect beer, Heim Gastropub is the place to be. It's also the right place for a burger and other pub grub. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the interiors are rustic with a modern, colorful twist. You can even pour your own beer with an ingenious system that locals seem to love.

Considered by locals to be one of Lillehammer’s best restaurants, Hvelvet---Norwegian for "The Vault"---offers fine wining and dining inside the former location of the Norwegian Bank. The interiors are decorated in a modern yet classic style with handsome wood floors and crisp white tablecloths. The service is attentive and friendly as they offer you the choice between à la carte options and three- and four-course menus.

In the middle of Dombås, Moskusgrillen serves traditional Norwegian dishes ranging from potetball (potato dumplings often served with meat) to elk burger. If you're looking for something more familiar for the kids, there are a dozen or more kinds of pizza that you can enjoy on the outside terrace. The atmosphere is casual and informal, making it perfect for a quick meal.

A century old, this charming café sits in the middle of downtown Otta. Popular among locals, it's known for use of local produce, especially in regional specialties like trout and moose (as well as for toppings on American-style pizzas). The place is named for a legendary local woman who played a key role in the Battle of Kringen against the Scots in 1612. Memorabilia on the walls and the old counter from way back when create a warm and rustic atmosphere.

Using local produce as much as possible in its carefully curated menu, the mountainside Spiseriet Rondane lets you choose among such local delicacies as mouthwatering reindeer fillet with a red wine glaze or crispy fried mountain trout with a horseradish–sour cream sauce. Whatever you do, don't miss the selection of award-winning Norwegian cheeses. Although the dining room has traditional decor, it's bright and spacious and has a relaxed ambience.

At the top of Ringebufjellet, this scenically situated hotel is well known for its restaurant, offering a wide selection of Norwegian specialties such as mountain trout and moose burgers. The Norwegian buffet, served every Wednesday, provides an amazing range of dishes found in the region. Take tiny portions, as there are so many delicious dishes to sample. Ask for a table by the window so you can soak in the view.

Located in a historic wooden building, this restaurant lets you choose between a more formal dining room, with elegant decor and crisp linens, in the main building and a casual pub in the old servants´ quarters and coach house. The Vertshuset, to the left as you enter from the street, offers a four-course set menu focusing on local fish and game and à la carte, while the pub to the right has an array of burgers and Norwegian cured meat and cheeses.